Larry Campbell, a master electrician and member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board, explains that convection heaters “include a fan that blows the heat in a chamber to get hotter and hotter to warm the air.” A ceramic element heater is an example of a convection heater, while an infrared quartz heater is a type of radiant heater. “A hot wire passes an electrical current through the quartz element to the ’neutral’ side....

According to Ronique Gibson, Home Staging Expert, “the finishes and material in your home can make a huge difference when getting a higher return on your investment (ROI) in the sale of your home.” It goes without saying, therefore, that having soiled, stained, or matted carpet will not go far towards getting top dollar for your home, and could cause your home to sit longer on the market. This is why many sellers choose to replace tired carpet or floors before listing their home....

Size: to 4 feet high; can trail several feet Natives to South Africa, these woody-based perennials have a mounding or trailing habit and produce lots of daisies over a long period in warmer or milder climates. Their flowers open in sunlight and close at dusk. While they are considered drought tolerant, good soil and regular watering help them look their best. Tip-pinching and deadheading helps. Admired for its frilly, silver-grey-green foliage, Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ is a woody perennial that looks striking planted near light green, purplish, or red succulents or drought-tolerant plants....

Below, all of the products in The Spruce’s organization line to cut down on clutter in your home. The two small bins can hold fruit, snacks, pouches, and more. Stack them on your top shelf to utilize vertical space, or place them on your middle shelf for easy visibility of healthy snack options. The two larger bins will make use of the entire depth of your fridge, so no expired items get stuck in the back or forgotten about....

If you’re like us then you must have at least one plant that has super compacted soil. We’re talking soil that seems to be hard as a rock, and when you water it, it doesn’t seem like it’s actually absorbing any of the water. It’s just running out of the drainage holes of the pot. Soil aeration is the solution to this problem. We spoke to an expert to learn more about soil aeration, and the ins and outs of doing it for your houseplants....

Cypress mulch is often cheaper than hardwood mulch. However, cypress mulch is not the most environmentally and sustainable mulch. Consider the pros and cons of using cypress mulch in your garden before you make a decision. What Is Cypress Mulch? Cypress mulch is made from the shredded wood of cypress trees, either bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) or pond cypress (Taxodium distichum var. nutans). Both cypress species are deciduous conifers and native to North America....

To avoid making some of the most common decorating faux pas, check out the rules on how NOT to decorate. Just because most people make these mistakes, there’s no reason why you should have to.

I get so many compliments on this medallion and find that it also makes my simple Target light fixture—and my sleep space as a whole—look incredible and way more luxe. The medallion also complements the faux wall molding that I hung, and honestly, many people think that these architectural features are original to my apartment before I tell them otherwise, which makes me so happy.

Interior designer, creative director, and founder of Sire Design Eilyn Jimenez is used to juggling a lot of projects at once. When we asked her how she keeps everything straight, it was no surprise to learn that Jimenez—and the rest of the team at Sire Design—has an app for that. What item made your work life easier this week/month/lately? Eilyn Jimenez: The Sire Design team and I love the Todoist app for project management....

But to have your magnolia tree produce buds that never open may be worse for a gardener’s psyche than any of these other scenarios, because it teases you with the feeling that you are close to success, only to suffer disappointment in the end. Let’s consider three reasons why magnolia buds don’t open. Magnolia Buds May Not Open Due to Wrong Location Magnolia trees are not difficult to grow, but they do require a few conditions if they are to perform optimally....

The can in question is the high-end offering from simplehuman: the voice and motion-sensor kitchen trash can. According to the brand, this is no ordinary waste bin: its sleek design includes a lid that opens with a simple voice command or wave of the hand, making it easy to dispose handfuls of trash. It’s easy to see how this could easily upgrade your kitchen, but we spoke with an expert at the brand to further make the case for this web-famous trash can....

Consider Your Weather Is your weather hot and dry, or do you live near the coast? Does it rain often? Does the midday sun beat down on your outdoor space? These are all important questions to answer before selecting outdoor furniture because outdoor exposure is hard on all furniture, no matter the climate. Hot, dry conditions can make wood splinter and crack, while frequent moisture can promote rot. Strong winds can send aluminum furniture flying; iron won’t blow away but also won’t stand up to salty air....

As you consider paint colors for you home’s exterior, keep in mind that the best paint colors are those that highlight the most beautiful features of your home. That’s one reason to know a little bit about residential architecture since history can tell you a lot about what colors have worked for various house styles over the years. Also remember that skillful use of color can sometimes disguise design flaws, boosting the curb appeal and market value of your home....

We’re not alone in our love for a good plant shelfie. There is a whole hashtag dedicated to the perfect #plantshelfies on Instagram, where we see how other people are using plants to make a decor statement. We talked to a few plant parents who know how to style a great shelfie. They shared their tips and tricks so you can create an epic plant shelfie at home. Tip 1: Curate a Diverse Set of Plants for Your Shelfie Who: Dorrington Reid of @dorringtonr His plant shelfies are so full and lush, you can barely see the shelves—just the way we like it....

The 2 Types of Concrete Flooring New Slab Concrete is primarily made from cement mixed with aggregates and water. The main ingredient in cement is Limestone, which is one of the most abundant materials on Earth. Most of the other ingredients such as fly ash, slag, and silica, can be obtained as waste from various manufacturing processes. Because of this, the material impact of concrete on the overall environment is minimal....

Human Creativity and Orchid Variety Producing hybrid flowers from orchids is both relatively easy and relatively difficult. The plants themselves readily cross with other orchid species and genera (in many cases), making it especially easy to come up with wonderful new combinations. Yet as a rule, producing orchids from seed is a difficult and specialized task, whether you’re hybridizing or not. Orchid seeds are tiny, almost microscopic, and must be raised in sterile flasks on a sterile substrate....

Bagua literally means “eight symbols” in Chinese. Therefore, the bagua is eight symbols around a center. These symbols are connected to different aspects of life. Each gua (or symbol) also has countless other layered meanings such as colors, elements, shapes, organs, and so much more. The ancient Chinese developed the bagua along with many other philosophies. The principles of yin and yang, the I-Ching, the five elements (and more) are interwoven and are the foundation of the bagua....

But below the surface lies a few less-than desirable truths about this coveted covering. Here are four reasons I’ll pass on hardwood floors every time. They Can Make Your Home Noisier They can be noisy, especially in older homes where the foundation has settled. Every footstep is amplified, whether it comes from people or pets. A dropped spoon in the kitchen can sound like a firecracker down the hall. A dog running to its food dish sounds more like a herd of cattle....